EU delegation visits Gaza amid virus outbreak

GAZA CITY, Palestine

A European Union delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to assess the health situation in the Palestinian territory amid a coronavirus outbreak.

The delegation visited the European Hospital in Gaza for treatment of COVID-19 patients as part of his tour in the strip. It will also visit EU-funded projects in Gaza and meet representatives of the territory’s civil society.

The EU said in a statement on Monday that the visit aims to show solidarity with the residents of Gaza and to review the health situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Gaza has been struggling to curb the coronavirus outbreak amid a shortage of medicines and medical supplies due to the 13-year Israeli blockade.

Health authorities in Gaza have reported around 25,500 virus infections, including 149 deaths, since March.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara